Direct process for the manufacture of tetraalkylammonium tetrafluoroborate-containing electrolyte compositions

Abstract

Process for the manufacture of tetraalkylammonium tetrafluoroborate-containing electrolyte compositions characterized in that said process comprises step (i): (i) mixing of at least one tetraalkylammonium halide with at least one metal tetrafluoroborate in at least one organic solvent, which is partially or completely miscible with water.

1. A process for the manufacture of tetraalkylammonium tetrafluoroborate-containing electrolyte compositions, characterized in that said process comprises step (i):
 (i) mixing of at least one tetraalkylammonium halide with at least one metal tetrafluoroborate in at least one organic solvent selected from the group consisting of nitrites, dinitriles, alkyl carbonates, alkylene carbonates, and lactones, which is partially or completely miscible with water. 
 
     
     
       2. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the alkyl groups of the at least one tetraalkylammonium halide contain independently from each other from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       3. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one metal tetrafluoroborate is an alkali metal tetrafluoroborate. 
     
     
       4. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one tetraalkylammonium halide and the at least one metal tetrafluoroborate are mixed in a molar ratio of from 2:1 to 1:5. 
     
     
       5. The process as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the mixing process is carried out at a temperature of from −50° C. to +240° C. 
     
     
       6. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one organic solvent is acetonitrile, 1,2-propylene carbonate or γ-butyrolactone and that 1 to 4 of the alkyl groups of the at least one tetraalkylammonium tetrafluoroborate are ethyl groups. 
     
     
       7. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said process further comprises at least one of the reaction steps (ii) and (iii):
 (ii) separation of metal halide, 
 (iii) drying.